Method and system for generic ip multimedia residential gateways

ABSTRACT

A common IP layer client device interface within an IP multimedia gateway (IMG) is configured to connect client devices to broadband IP networks such as the Internet based on determined device capabilities. Broadband IP network interfaces within the IMG are configured to enable communication between the IMG and broadband IP networks based on the determined device capabilities. Content provided by various service managers are communicated with the client devices utilizing the common IP layer client device interface and the configured network interfaces. Network capabilities may be determined during the device and network discovery. Protocol translation, media transcoding and/or dynamic device configuration may be performed based on the determined device capabilities, and based on the determined network capabilities. The IMG may adjust system timing and manage power consumptions for service deployment over corresponding client devices. Information may be routed or distributed by the IMRG among the client devices when needed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to and thebenefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/891,712 filed May 10,2013, which is a continuation of and claims priority to and the benefitof U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/829,145, filed Jul. 1, 2010, eachof which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for allpurposes. This application makes reference to:

U.S. application Ser. No. 12/829,179 filed on Jul. 1, 2010,

U.S. application Ser. No. 12/829,212 filed on Jul. 1, 2010,

U.S. application Ser. No. 12/828,549 filed on Jul. 1, 2010,

U.S. application Ser. No. 12/828,652 filed on Jul. 1, 2010,

U.S. application Ser. No. 12/837,045 filed on Jul. 1, 2010,

U.S. application Ser. No. 12/837,052 filed on Jul. 1, 2010, and

U.S. application Ser. No. 12/837,089 filed on Jul. 1, 2010.

Each of the above stated applications is hereby incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Certain embodiments of the invention relate to communication systems.More specifically, certain embodiments of the invention relate to amethod and system for generic IP multimedia residential gateways.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Telecommunication technologies have evolved from analog to digitaltechnologies, and continue to evolve from circuit switched to packetswitched, from connection oriented packet switching to connectionlesspacket switching, and from narrowband application to broadbandapplications. The accompanied evolution in telecommunicationtechnologies has significantly advanced operators' capability to offerbroadband, IP-based multimedia services (IMS) ranging from entertainmentand lifestyle applications such as mobile TV and mobile payment toprofessional services such as video conferencing and real-time dataexchange.

IMS defines a standard framework for the deployment of next generationWeb-based application services. IMS defines how these services connectand communicate with the underlying telecommunications network(s) andhow they integrate with the network provider's back-end systems. IMScombines voice and data in one packet switched network such as, forexample, the GPRS core network and the LTE core network, to offernetwork controlled multimedia services. Various Internet Protocols (IPs)such as the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), the User DatagramProtocol (UDP), the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and Real-TimeTransport Protocol (RTP) are widely utilized for delivery of variousforms of multimedia applications over IP networks. SIP is an end-to-endapplication layer signaling protocol that is utilized to setup, modify,and teardown multimedia sessions such as audio/videoconferencing,interactive gaming, virtual reality, and call forwarding over IPnetworks. UDP and TCP are transport layer protocols that are used fordata delivery over IP networks. TCP guarantees data delivery andintegrity, however, UDP does not exclusively guarantee delivery of data.RTP is the Internet protocol which transports real-time data such asaudio and video data. RTP does not exclusively guarantee real-timedelivery of data, but it does provide mechanisms for the sending andreceiving applications to support streaming and/or conversational data.

Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditionalapproaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, throughcomparison of such systems with some aspects of the present invention asset forth in the remainder of the present application with reference tothe drawings.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method and/or system for generic IP multimedia residential gateways,substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at leastone of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.

These and other advantages, aspects and novel features of the presentinvention, as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof, willbe more fully understood from the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary communication system thatis operable to utilize an IP multimedia residential gateway (IMRG) toconnect client devices through a common IP layer interface to broadbandIP networks via a configurable interface, in accordance with anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary generic IP multimediaresidential gateway (IMRG) that seamlessly facilitates protocol mappingand media transcoding between IP core networks and client devices, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating exemplary steps that may beperformed by a generic IP multimedia residential gateway (IMRG) forautomatic device and network discovery, in accordance with an embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating exemplary steps that may beperformed by a generic IP multimedia residential gateway (IMRG) toperform client device adaptation, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating exemplary steps that may beperformed by a generic IP multimedia residential gateway (IMRG) toperform network adaptation, in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating exemplary steps that may beperformed by a generic IP multimedia residential gateway (IMRG) fordynamic device configuration, in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating exemplary steps that may beperformed by a generic IP multimedia residential gateway (IMRG) tomanage internal packet routing, in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Certain embodiments of the invention may be found in a method and systemfor generic IP multimedia residential gateways. In various embodimentsof the invention, an IP multimedia gateway (IMG) may be operable todiscover or determine various device capabilities such as device serviceprocessing capabilities of one or more of a plurality of client devices.A common IP layer client device interface within the IMG may beconfigured to enable communication between one or more of the pluralityof client devices and one or more broadband IP networks, based on thecorresponding determined or discovered device capabilities. The commonIP layer client device interface within the IMG may comprise RTP and/orSIP. The one or more broadband IP networks may comprise a VoIPsoftswitch network, a multimedia content provider network, a cableprovider network, a satellite provider network, an IP telephony network,and/or the Internet. One or more broadband IP network interfaces withinthe IMG may be configured to enable communication between the IMG andbroadband IP networks based on the determined device capabilities suchas specific communication standards supported. The IMG may utilize thecommon IP layer client device interface and the configured one or morenetwork interfaces to communicate content of various IP based servicesbetween the one or more of the plurality of client devices and one ormore service manager. The IMG may be operable to determine networkcapabilities of the broadband IP networks during the device and networkdiscovery. In this regard, the IMG may be operable to perform protocoltranslation and/or content transcoding based on the determined devicecapabilities and the determined network capabilities. The IMG maydynamically configure the client devices based on the determined devicecapabilities and the determined network capabilities. The IMG may beoperable to adjust system timing and perform power control, accordingly,to communicate or deploy services provided by the one or more servicemanager over corresponding client devices. Information such as media,signaling and event packets may be routed or distributed by the IMGamong the plurality of client devices when needed.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary communication system thatis operable to utilize an IP multimedia residential gateway (IMRG) toconnect client devices through a common IP layer interface to broadbandIP networks via a configurable interface, in accordance with anembodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown acommunication system 100 comprising a plurality of IP multimediaresidential gateways (IMRGs), of which IMRGs 112-114 are illustrated,broadband IP networks 120, a plurality of client devices 132 a˜132 e,134 a˜134 c, 136 a˜136 e, and 138 a˜138 c, which are collectivelyreferred to herein as client devices 132, 134, 136 and 138,respectively, a plurality of access networks 142˜146, and IP-basedapplication servers 150, of which service servers 150 a˜150 c aredisplayed.

An IMRG such as the IMRG 112 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry,interfaces and/or code that are operable to connect the client devices132 a˜132 e to the broadband IP networks 120 for services of interest. Aservice may be described or represented by the service type and theservice class. The type of a service refers to as the type ofinformation to be transferred such as data, voice, text or radio for theservice. A service with a given service type may be classified into aplurality of exemplary scheduling service classes, namely, data servicesfor Internet access and messaging, conversational services forcarrier-grade voice and/or video calls and conferences, video servicesfor TV, video and music streaming, gaming services for users to interactwith one another via a central server, and corporate VPN services foraccess to enterprise intranet/email. Specific requirements may be placedon access networks and core networks for each service type and/or classto ensure desired end-to-end QoS. The service requirements on accessnetworks and core networks may comprise, for example, system timing,CODEC, transmission rates, power-saving mechanisms, security profilesand content types. The system timing may be utilized to synchronizecommunications for delivery of service. The CODEC may comprise G.711,G.729, G.723, MPEG-4, VC-1, and VP6, for example. The power-savingmechanisms may comprise various power levels, which may be utilizedwithin certain time intervals, for service transmissions. The securityprofiles may comprise service security descriptions such as, forexample, security configurations and policies. The securityconfiguration of a service may comprise protocols, credentials, andactions such as authentication actions. The content type of a servicemay specify what type of content that the service may comprise. Thecontent type for a service may comprise, for example, Multipart InternetMail Extensions (MIME) files, HTML pages, H.262, H.263, H.264/AVC video,G.711, BV16, BV32 voice, and DOCSIS Set-top Gateway (DSG) multimedia.

In various exemplary embodiments of the invention, the IMRG 112 may beoperable to integrate local client devices as well as remote clientdevices to the broadband IP networks 120. Client devices such as theclient devices 132 a-132 e that may access the IMRG 112 viadevice-dependent interfaces are referred to as local client devices forthe IMRG 112. A device-dependent interface may generally represent thePHY and MAC functionality of a particular access technology such as, forexample, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cordless, and/or Femtocell. Clientdevices such as the client devices 134 a-134 c that may remotely accessthe IMRG 112 via device-independent interfaces such as the broadband IPnetworks 120 are referred to as remote client devices for the IMRG 112.Client devices such as the client devices 136 a-136 e that may remotelyaccess the IMRG 112 via other IMRGs such as the IMRG 114 are alsoreferred to as remote client devices for the IMRG 112.

In various exemplary embodiments of the invention, the IMRG 112 may beoperable to perform automatic device and network discovery. In thisregard, the IMRG 112 may be operable to utilize proprietary methodsand/or well-known networking protocols such as UPnP and DHCP, or acombination of both to perform search, in the background ortransparently, for attached client devices and broadband IP networks.For example, the IMRG 112 may be operable to multicast a discoverymessage. The IMRG 112 may discover or identify attached devices and/ornetworks from responses received to the discovery message. In thisregard, the IMRG 112 may be operable to retrieve or determine, from thereceived responses, client device capabilities for the discovereddevices, and/or network capabilities for the discovered networks. Theclient device capabilities may comprise interface types, processingprotocols, service types, service classes and/or service requirements.The interface types for the identified device may comprise accessinterface types such as Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCa), WiFi,Ethernet, Femtocell, and/or cordless. The processing protocols maycomprise service layer protocols, IP layer protocols and link layerprotocols, as specified, for example, in the Open Systems Interconnect(OSI) model. The service layer protocols may comprise secure protocolssuch as Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and control protocols such asSpanning Tree Protocol (STP). The IP layer protocols may comprise IPsignaling protocols such as SIP and H.323, and IP media transportprotocols such as TCP, UDP, RTP, RTC and RTCP. The link layer protocolsmay comprise technology-specific PHY and MAC layer protocols such as,for example, Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCa), WiFi, Ethernet,Femtocell, and/or cordless. The network capabilities may compriseinterface types, processing protocols, service types, service classesand service requirements on network side. The interface types for theidentified networks may comprise technology specific broadband IPconnections such as DSL, Cable, FTTx, PLC and WiMAX. The protocols maycomprise service layer protocols such as SSL and STP,technology-independent IP layer protocols such as SIP, TCP, andtechnology-dependent IP layer protocols such as Base Station System GPRSProtocol (BSSGP).

In various exemplary embodiments of the invention, the IMRG 112 may beoperable to register discovered or identified client devices andnetworks into a local database 112 a. In this regard, the registeredclient devices may comprise local client devices such as the clientdevices 132 a-132 e as well as remote client devices such as the clientdevices 134 a-134 c. Information such as client device capabilities andnetwork capabilities may also be stored in the local database 112 a tosupport various applications or features. For example, the stored clientdevice capabilities may be utilized to implement a local multimediacommunication feature. The local multimedia communication feature mayenable exchange of voice, video, and/or other forms of information amongclient devices of interest to support, for example, local multi-wayconferences over local IP connections.

In various exemplary embodiments of the invention, the IMRG 112 may beoperable to access local client devices utilizing device-dependentinterfaces. In this regard, the IMRG 112 may be operable to support linklayer protocols for specific PHY and MAC functionality of a particularaccess technology. For example, in instances where the IMRG 112 issignaled to access a Bluetooth enabled client device such as the clientdevice 132 b, the IMRG 112 may be operable to communicate informationwith the client device 132 b utilizing Bluetooth air interfaceprotocols.

The IMRG 112 may be operable to provide one or more common IPprotocol-based interfaces towards client devices. In this regard, theIMRG 112 may be comprise a common IP layer client device interface toenable communication utilizing a wide range of client devices to, forexample, a single common IP transport protocol and a single common IPsignaling protocol. For example, the IMRG 112 may be operable to convertor configure different IP transport protocols utilized by the clientdevices 132 a-132 e into the single IP common transport protocol such asRTP. Different IP signaling protocols running on the client devices 132a-132 e may be converted into the single common IP signaling protocolsuch as SIP.

The IMRG 112 may be operable to route and distribute information such asmedia, signaling and event packets among client devices registered tothe IMRG 112. In this regard, the IMRG 112 may be operable to trackregistration status for client devices dynamically registered as localclients or remote clients (during roaming). The IMRG 112 may beconfigured to monitor and/or discover client device capabilities andnetwork capabilities to dynamically configure registered client devicebased on client device capabilities and network capabilities.

The IMRG 112 may be operable to control or manage system timing andpower-saving mechanisms for registered client devices. For example, theIMRG 112 may be operable to adjust system timing based on correspondingservice requirements for service deployment provided by differentbroadband IP networks over corresponding client devices. For example,the IMRG 112 may be operable to manage power consumption on clientdevices based on corresponding client device capabilities and networkcapabilities to receive content of services offered by one or moreservice manager through different broadband IP networks.

The IMRG 112 may be operable to support various broadband connectionssuch as, for example, DSL, Cable, FTTx, PLC and WiMAX. In this regard,the IMRG 112 may be operable to communicate with different broadband IPnetworks utilizing technology-dependent access for network access.

The IMRG 112 may be operable to dynamically configure one or morenetwork interfaces within the IMRG 112 towards the broadband IP networks120 for communicating with corresponding broadband IP networks. In thisregard, the IMRG 112 may be configured to enable communication withdifferent types of core networks by protocol mapping. For example, theIMRG 112 may be operable to convert a common IP media transport protocolsuch as RTP and a common IP signaling protocol such as SIP to differentmedia transport and signaling protocols utilized by correspondingbroadband IP networks.

The IMRG 112 may be operable to control or manage system timing andpower-saving mechanisms for registered networks. For example, the IMRG112 may be operable to adjust system timing based on correspondingservice requirements for services provided by different broadband IPnetworks. For example, the IMRG 112 may be operable to control its ownpower levels and/or power consumption based on corresponding networkcapabilities to receive services from different broadband IP networks.

A client device such as the client device 132 a may comprise suitablelogic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that are operable to receiveservices from different broadband IP networks through the IMRG 112. Invarious exemplary embodiments of the invention, the client device 132 amay be operable to utilize an access technology specific interface suchas Bluetooth, LTE, WiFi and/or Ethernet to communicate with the IMRG 112for services offered by different broadband IP networks. The clientdevice 132 a may also be operable to communicate or exchange informationwith other client devices registered to the IMRG 112. In this regard,the client device 132 a may share information with local client devicessuch as client devices 132 b-132 e as well as remote client devices suchas the client devices 134 a-134 c. The client device 132 may bedynamically configured to receive services from the broadband IPnetworks 120 as well as networked client devices such as the clientdevice 132 e.

An access network such as the access network 142 may comprise suitablelogic, circuitry, communication devices, interfaces and/or code that areoperable to communicate services utilizing various access technologiessuch as, for example, IP LAN, Bluetooth, WiFi, Femtocell, LTE and WiMAX.

An IP-based application server such as the IP-based application server150 a may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or codethat are operable to provide IP-based services to various broadband IPnetworks 120. In this regard, the IP-based application server 150 a maybe configured to deliver carrier-grade as well as no-carrier-gradebroadband access services to users through the broadband IP networks120. The IP-based application server 150 a may be operable to scheduledelivery of carrier-grade services to ensure service integrity.No-carrier-grade services may be delivered when needed withoutreliability and stability ensured.

Although IP multimedia residential gateways (IMRGs) are illustrated inFIG. 1 for connecting client devices through a common IP layer interfaceto broadband IP networks via a configurable interface, the invention maynot be so limited. Accordingly, other IP multimedia gateways forconnecting client devices through a common IP layer interface tobroadband IP networks via a configurable interface may be supportedwithout departing from the spirit and scope of various embodiments ofthe invention. The IP multimedia gateways may be located in aresidential location and/or non-residential locations comprising, forexample, a commercial building, an office, an office complex, anapartment building and/or a factory.

In an exemplary operation, an IMRG such as the IMRG 112 may be operableto communicatively couple a plurality of client devices to the broadbandIP networks 120. Client devices discovered by the IMRG 112 may beregistered together with corresponding client device capabilities intothe local database 112 a to support applications such as a three-waylocal conference. The IMRG 112 may serve local client devices such asthe client devices 132 a-132 e as well as remote client devices such asthe client devices 134 a-134 c. Local client devices may communicatewith an associated IMRG over device-dependent interfaces such as IP LAN,Bluetooth, WiFi, Femtocell, LTE and WiMAX. Remote client devices mayexchange or communicate information with an associated IMRG overdevice-independent interfaces such as, for example, the broadband IPnetworks 120. A client device such as the client device 132 a mayinitially register as a local client device and become a remote clientdevice to the IMRG 112 when the client device 132 a roams outside of alocal coverage area served by the IMRG 112. Similarly, a client devicesuch as the client device 134 a may initially register on the IMRG 112as a remote client device. In instances where the client device 134 amoves into the local coverage area of the IMRG 112, the remote clientdevice may be registered as a local client device.

The IMRG 112 may be operable to track registration status andcapabilities for registered client devices, and capabilities of networksavailable. In this regard, the IMRG 112 may be operable to dynamicallyconfigure associated client devices to share resources by, for example,routing and distributing content among associated client devices. Inthis regard, the IMRG 112 may be operable to perform media or contenttranscoding to fit the needs of different client devices. The IMRG 112may adapt to a wide range of client devices to the broadband IP networksby providing a common IP protocol-based interface. In this regard, theIMRG 112 may be operable to utilize a single IP transport protocol and asingle IP signaling protocol to interface with client device withdifferent IP protocol components. The IMRG 112 may be operable to accessthe broadband IP networks utilizing various broadband accesstechnologies such as DSL, Cable, FTTx, PLC and WiMAX. The IMRG 112 maybe operable to dynamically configure one or more network interfaceswithin the IMRG 112 towards to the broadband IP networks 120 to enablecommunication between the IMRG 112 and the broadband IP networks. TheIMRG 112 may be operable to manage various aspects of communicationsbetween client devices and various broadband IP networks by, forexample, adjusting system timing and/or performing power-saving control.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary generic IP multimediaresidential gateway (IMRG) that seamlessly facilitates protocol mappingand media transcoding between IP core networks and client devices, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 2,there is shown an IP multimedia residential gateway (IMRG) 200comprising a multi-standard modem 202, a broadband modem 204, an IMRGprocessor 206, an IMRG database 208 and a memory 210.

The multi-standard modem 202 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry,interfaces and/or code that are operable to communicate with a pluralityof client devices such as the client devices 132 a-132 e and 134 a-134 cutilizing a device-dependent interface such as, for example, Ethernet,Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cordless, and/or Femtocell.

The broadband modem 204 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry,interfaces and/or code that are operable to transmit voice and/or datain adherence with one or more internet protocol (IP) broadband standard.The broadband modem 204 may be operable to transmit and/or receive voiceand/or data to and/or from the broadband IP networks 120 over broadbandconnections such as, for example, T1/E1 line, DSL, Cable, FTTx, PLC andWiMAX. The broadband modem 204 may dynamically configure one or morenetwork interfaces utilized within the broadband modem 204 towards tothe broadband IP networks 120. For example, in instances where thebroadband modem 204 is signaled to exchange information with the VoIPsoftswitch network 126, the broadband modem 204 may be configured toutilize FTTx as an access solution to the VoIP softswitch network 126.

The IMRG processor 206 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry,interfaces and/or code that are operable to perform a variety of signalprocessing tasks to maintain or manage communication between associatedclient devices and the broadband IP networks 120, and/or amongassociated client devices. The IMRG processor 206 may comprise a clientdevice interface 206 a, a client device adaptation unit 206 b, aninternal routing and control unit 206 c, a remote access unit 206 d, acore-network adaptation unit 206 e and a core-network interface 206 f.

The client device interface 206 a may comprise suitable logic,circuitry, interfaces and/or code that are operable to perform protocolconversion for client device access. The client device interface 206 amay comprise a device-dependent interface 226 and a common IP interface216. The device-dependent interface 226 may comprise suitable logic,circuitry, interfaces and/or code that are operable to access localclient devices over device-dependent connections such as WiFi and LTEconnections. The device-dependent interface 226 may be operable tosupport link layer protocols for specific PHY and MAC functionality of aparticular access technology. For example, in instances where the clientdevice interface 206 a is signaled to access a WiFi enabled clientdevice such as the client device 132 c, the client device interface 206a may exchange information with the client device 132 c utilizing WiFiair interface protocols for corresponding link layer communication. Thedevice-dependent interface 226 may support different IP transport and/orsignaling components utilized by client devices. The common IP interface216 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code thatare operable to provide a common IP support to communicate contentbetween various client devices and the broadband IP networks 120. Thecommon IP interface 216 may comprise a transport unit 216 a and asignaling unit 216 b. The transport unit 216 a may comprise suitablelogic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that are operable to provide asingle IP transport component such as RTP to support data communicationover IP. The signaling unit 216 b may comprise suitable logic,circuitry, interfaces and/or code that are operable to provide a singleIP signaling component such as SIP to support signaling communicationover IP. The client device interface 206 a may perform protocol mappingor translation between different IP transport and/or signalingcomponents utilized by client devices and the common IP-based interface216 running on the IMRG processor 206.

The client device adaptation unit 206 b may comprise suitable logic,circuitry, interfaces and/or code that are operable to adapt a widerange of client devices. In this regard, the client device adaptationunit 206 b may be operable to perform, for example, media or contenttranscoding, rate conversion, system timing adjustment and/or powercontrol based on corresponding client device capabilities to improveuser experiences.

The internal routing and control unit 206 c may comprise suitable logic,circuitry, interfaces and/or code that are operable to route anddistribute media, signaling and event packets among client devicesregistered to the IMRG 112, for example. In this regard, the internalrouting and control unit 206 c may be operable to keep trackingregistration status for associated client devices. In instances where aclient device such as the client device 132 a is within a local clientarea served by the IMRG 112, the internal routing and control unit 206 cmay be operable to register the client device 132 a in the IMRG database208 as a local client device of the IMRG 112. In instances where a localclient device such as the client device 134 a roams outside of the localcoverage area, the internal routing and control unit 206 c may registerthe client device 134 a in the IMRG database 208 as a remote clientdevice for the IMRG 112. The internal routing and control unit 206 c maycollect or track client device capabilities for associated clientdevices and network capabilities to build the IMRG database 208. Theinternal routing and control unit 206 c may be operable to dynamicallyconfigure associated client devices based on collected system capabilityinformation. In addition, the internal routing and control unit 206 cmay be operable to coordinate or control system timing adjustment andpower control management for delivery of service.

The remote access unit 206 d may comprise suitable logic, circuitry,interfaces and/or code that are operable to provide necessaryfunctionality for the support of remote access by client devices thatare roaming outside of a local coverage of the IMRG 112. In this regard,the remote access unit 206 d may be operable to exchange informationwith remote client devices over broadband connections to the broadbandIP networks 120.

The core-network adaptation unit 206 e may comprise suitable logic,circuitry, interfaces and/or code that are operable to provideadaptation to different broadband IP networks for various clientdevices. In this regard, the core-network adaptation unit 206 e mayperform, for example, protocol translation and mapping between a commonIP protocol utilized by the IMRG 200 and protocols used by differentbroadband IP networks.

The core-network interface 206 f may comprise suitable logic, circuitry,interfaces and/or code that are operable to provide various broadbandconnections such as, for example, DSL, Cable, FTTx, PLC and WiMAX foraccess to the broadband IP networks 120.

The IMRG database 208 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfacesand/or code that are operable to store and manage client deviceinformation and network information. In this regard, the IMRG database208 may comprise registration status information for associated clientdevices. The registration status for a client device pertaining to theIMRG 200 may be a local client device or a remote client device. TheIMRG database 208 may be operable to keep tracking or collecting clientdevice and network capabilities. The collected capability informationmay be utilized to dynamically configure client devices pertaining tothe IMRG 200. The IMRG database 208 may comprise RAM, ROM, low latencynonvolatile memory such as flash memory and/or other suitable electronicdata storage capable of storing data and instructions

The memory 210 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/orcode that are operable to store and manage data and/or other informationutilized by the IMRG processor 206. For example, the memory 210 may beutilized to store processed data or content generated by the IMRGprocessor 206. The memory 210 may be enabled to store executableinstructions to process, for example, protocol mapping and/or mediatranscoding. The memory 210 may comprise RAM, ROM, low latencynonvolatile memory such as flash memory and/or other suitable electronicdata storage capable of storing data and instructions.

In an exemplary operation, an IMRG such as the IMRG 200 may provideconnections for various client devices to the broadband IP networks 120.The IMRG 200 may be operable to register client devices discovered intothe IMRG database 208 to support applications such as a local telephony.Client devices discovered inside and outside of a local client area maybe registered as local client devices and remote client devices,respectively. The IMRG processor 206 may be operable to communicate withlocal client devices utilizing the device-dependent interface 226 withinthe client device interface 206 a. The IMRG processor 206 may beoperable to track registration status and device capabilities forregistered client devices to dynamically perform client deviceconfiguration. The internal routing and control unit 206 c may beoperable to route and distribute content among client devices. In thisregard, the IMRG processor 206 may utilize the common IP interface 216to provide a common IP support for communication between various clientdevices and the broadband IP networks 120. In addition, mediatranscoding may be performed by the client device adaption unit 206 b tofit the needs of different client devices. The IMRG processor 206 may beoperable to connect a wide range of client devices to the broadband IPnetworks through the core-network adaptation unit 206 e and thecore-network interface 206 f. The IMRG processor 206 may be operable toaccess, via the broadband modem 204, the broadband IP networks utilizingvarious broadband access technologies such as DSL, Cable, FTTx, PLC andWiMAX supported by the core-network interface 206 f. The core-networkinterface 206 f may be dynamically configured for access to thebroadband IP networks 120. The internal routing and control unit 206 cmay adjust system timing and/or perform power-saving control to managevarious aspects of communications between client devices and thebroadband IP networks 120.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating exemplary steps that may beperformed by a generic IP multimedia residential gateway (IMRG) forautomatic device and network discovery, in accordance with an embodimentof the invention. Referring to FIG. 3, the exemplary steps may startwith step 302. In step 302, an IMRG such as the IMRG 112 may beconfigured to perform automatic device and network discovery inbackground. In step 304, the IMRG 112 may be operable to multicast adiscovery message. In step 306, the IMRG 112 may wait for responses tothe discovery message. In instances where the IMRG 112 may receiveresponse from communication devices and/or networks, then in step 308,the IMRG 112 may be operable to discover or identify client devicesand/or broadband IP networks based on information provided in thereceived responses. In step 310, the IMRG 112 may be operable toretrieve client device capabilities for the discovered devices, and/ornetwork capabilities for the discovered networks. In step 312, the IMRG112 may be operable to register, into the IMRG database 208, thediscovered devices as client devices, and networks with correspondingcapability information. The exemplary steps may end in step 314.

In step 306, in instances where the IMRG 112 may not receive responsefrom communication devices and/or networks, then the exemplary steps mayreturn to step 304.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating exemplary steps that may beperformed by a generic IP multimedia residential gateway (IMRG) toperform client device adaptation, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe invention. Referring to FIG. 4, the exemplary steps start with step402. In step 402, an IMRG such as the IMRG 200 is signaled to deploy aservice on a client device such as the client device 132 a. In step 404,the IMRG 200 may be operable to acquire client device capabilities fromthe IMRG database 208, for example. In step 406, the client deviceinterface 206 a may be configured to select, based on the acquireddevice capabilities of the client device 132 a, an interface such asBluetooth to access the client device 132 a. In step 408, the internalrouting and control unit 206 c may be operable to adjust system timingto communicate information with the client device 132 a based on servicerequirements on the selected access interface. In step 410, the clientdevice interface 206 a and the client device adaptation unit 206 b maybe operable to perform protocol mapping and media transcoding,respectively, based on the acquired device capabilities for clientdevice adaptation. In step 412, the internal routing and control unit206 c may be operable to perform power control between the IMRG 200 andthe client device 132 a based on the acquired device capabilities andthe service currently running on the client device 132 a. The exemplarysteps may return to step 414.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating exemplary steps that may beperformed by a generic IP multimedia residential gateway (IMRG) toperform network adaptation, in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention. Referring to FIG. 5, the exemplary steps start with step 502.In step 502, an IMRG such as the IMRG 200 is signaled for a serviceprovided by a broadband IP network such as the VoIP softswitch network126. In step 504, the IMRG 200 may be operable to acquire networkcapabilities from the IMRG database 208, for example. In step 506, thecore-network interface 206 f may be configured to select, based on theacquired network capabilities of the VoIP softswitch network 126, abroadband access technology such as FTTx for access to the VoIPsoftswitch network 126 form the IMRG 200. In step 508, the internalrouting and control unit 206 c may be operable to adjust system timingto communicate information with the VoIP softswitch network 126 based oncorresponding service requirements on the selected broadband accesstechnology. In step 510, the core-network adaptation unit 206 e may beoperable to perform protocol mapping and/or media transcoding based onthe acquired network capabilities for network adaptation. The exemplarysteps may return to step 512.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating exemplary steps that may beperformed by a generic IP multimedia residential gateway (IMRG) fordynamic device configuration, in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention. Referring to FIG. 6, the exemplary steps start with step 602.In step 602, an IMRG such as the MRG 112 may be operable to track aplurality of client devices. In step 604, the IMRG 112 may be operableto monitor and/or collect information on client device registrationstatus, client device capabilities, and network capabilities to buildthe IMRG database 208. In step 606, the IMRG 112 may utilize informationstored in the IMRG database 208 to dynamically configure correspondingclient devices based on information on the client registration status,client device capabilities and network capabilities. In step 608 it maybe determined whether a remote client device identified. In instanceswhere a client device such as the client device 132 a is discovered oridentified, then in step 610, the IMRG 112 may be operable to providethe remote client device with a NAT traversal functionality allowing theremote client device to access the IMRG 112 by traversing NAT devices inbetween. In step 612, the IMRG 112 may be operable to manage trafficbetween the client devices and networks in response to the dynamicclient device configuration. The exemplary steps may return to step 604.

In step 608 in instances where a client device such as the client device132 a is not discovered or identified, then exemplary steps may returnto step 604.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating exemplary steps that may beperformed by a generic IP multimedia residential gateway (IMRG) tomanage internal packet routing, in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention. Referring to FIG. 7, the exemplary steps start with step 702.In step 702, an IMRG such as the IMRG 200 is monitoring activities onassociated client devices such as the client devices 132 a-132 e and 134a-134 c. In step 704, it may be determined whether packet routing isexpected among the client devices associated with the IMRG 200. Ininstances where packet routing among associated client devices isexpected, then in step 706, the IMRG 200 may be operable to selectinterfaces, based on corresponding device capabilities, for access theoriginator client device such as the client device 132 a and thedestination client device such as the client device 134 e, respectively.

In step 708, the internal routing and control unit 206 c may be operableto adjust system timing, based on the corresponding device capabilities,for communications with the client device 132 a and the client device134 e. In step 710, the client device interface 206 a and the clientdevice adaptation unit 206 b may be operable to perform protocol mappingand media transcoding, respectively, based on the device capabilities ofthe client device 132 a and the client device 134 e, to route ordistribute packets over the corresponding selected access interfaces. Instep 712, the internal routing and control unit 206 c may be operable toperform power control between the client device 132 a and the clientdevice 134 e according to the corresponding device capabilities forrouting the packets. The exemplary steps may end in step 714.

In step 704, in instances where packet routing among associated clientdevices is not expected, then the exemplary steps may stay in step 704.

In various exemplary aspects of the method and system for generic IPmultimedia residential gateways, an IP multimedia gateway such as theIMRG 112 may be operable to connect a plurality of client devices suchas the local client devices 132 a-132 e and the remote client devices134 a-134 c to a single common IP transport component such as RTP and asingle common IP signaling component such as SIP. The IMRG 112 may beconfigured to communicate with various broadband IP networks such as theInternet 122, the VoIP softswitch network 126 and the LTE core network128. The IMRG 112 may be operable to communicate traffic of servicesthat are provided by the broadband IP networks 120 to client devices.The IMRG 112 may be operable to automatically perform device and networkdiscovery. Device capabilities and network capabilities may bedetermined during the device and network discovery. In this regard, theclient device adaptation unit 206 b may be operable to perform protocoltranslation and/or media transcoding based on the determined devicecapabilities and the determined network capabilities.

The IMRG 112 may be operable to dynamically configure the client devicesbased on the determined device capabilities and the determined networkcapabilities. The internal routing and control unit 206 c may beoperable to adjust system timing and perform power control to deployservices provided by different broadband IP networks over correspondingclient devices. Information such as media, signaling and event packetsmay be routed or distributed by the IMRG 112 among associated clientdevices when needed.

In various exemplary aspects of the method and system for generic IPmultimedia residential gateways, an IP multimedia gateway such as theIMRG 112 may be operable to determine device capabilities such as deviceservice processing capabilities of one or more of a plurality ofcommunication devices such as the local client devices 132 a-132 e andthe remote client devices 134 a-134 c. A common IP layer client deviceinterface such as the common IP interface 216 within the client deviceinterface 206 a for the one or more of the plurality of client devicesmay be configured based on the determined device capabilities. Forexample, the IMRG 112 may be configured to communicate with the one ormore of the plurality of client devices utilizing the device-dependentinterface 226 and the common IP interface 216, the latter of which isoperable to handle a plurality of different link layer protocolsutilized by the one or more of the plurality of client devices forservices. The common IP interface 216 may be operable to provide asingle common IP transport component such as RTP and a single common IPsignaling component such as SIP via the transport unit 216 a and thesignaling unit 216 b, respectively.

The IMRG 112 may be operable to configure one or more network interfacesutilized within the IMRG 112 to enable communication between the IMRG112 and one or more communication networks such as the Internet 122, theVoIP softswitch network 126 and the LTE core network 128 based on thedetermined device capabilities. The IMRG 112 may be operable to utilizethe common IP layer client device interface and the configured one ormore network interfaces to communicate content for various services, forexample broadband services, between the one or more of the plurality ofclient devices and one or more service managers. The IMRG 112 may beoperable to determine network capabilities of the one or more broadbandIP networks during the device and network discovery. In this regard, theclient device adaptation unit 206 b may be operable to perform protocoltranslation and/or content transcoding based on the determined devicecapabilities and the determined network capabilities. The IMRG 112 maybe operable to dynamically configure the client devices based on thedetermined device capabilities and the determined network capabilities.The internal routing and control unit 206 c may be operable to adjustsystem timing and perform power control to communicate or deployservices provided by different broadband IP networks over correspondingclient devices. Information such as media, signaling and event packetsmay be routed or distributed by the IMRG 112 among associated clientdevices when needed.

Other embodiments of the invention may provide a non-transitory computerreadable medium and/or storage medium, and/or a non-transitory machinereadable medium and/or storage medium, having stored thereon, a machinecode and/or a computer program having at least one code sectionexecutable by a machine and/or a computer, thereby causing the machineand/or computer to perform the steps as described herein for generic IPmultimedia residential gateways.

Accordingly, the present invention may be realized in hardware,software, or a combination of hardware and software. The presentinvention may be realized in a centralized fashion in at least onecomputer system, or in a distributed fashion where different elementsare spread across several interconnected computer systems. Any kind ofcomputer system or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methodsdescribed herein is suited. A typical combination of hardware andsoftware may be a general-purpose computer system with a computerprogram that, when being loaded and executed, controls the computersystem such that it carries out the methods described herein.

The present invention may also be embedded in a computer programproduct, which comprises all the features enabling the implementation ofthe methods described herein, and which when loaded in a computer systemis able to carry out these methods. Computer program in the presentcontext means any expression, in any language, code or notation, of aset of instructions intended to cause a system having an informationprocessing capability to perform a particular function either directlyor after either or both of the following: a) conversion to anotherlanguage, code or notation; b) reproduction in a different materialform.

While the present invention has been described with reference to certainembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention. In addition, manymodifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material tothe teachings of the present invention without departing from its scope.Therefore, it is intended that the present invention not be limited tothe particular embodiment disclosed, but that the present invention willinclude all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: identifying, by a networkdevice in communication with a service manager via a communicationnetwork, a first device capability of a first communication device and asecond device capability of a second communication device, the firstcommunication device associated with a first protocol and the secondcommunication device associated with a second protocol; performing, bythe network device, at least one of protocol translation, contenttranscoding or dynamic device configuration using at least one of thefirst device capability, the second device capability or a networkcapability of the communication network; and communicating, by thenetwork device based on the at least one of protocol translation,content transcoding or dynamic device configuration, content between theservice manager and at least one of the first communication device orthe second communication device.
 2. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising performing, by the network device, discovery of thecommunication network to determine the network capability of thecommunication network.
 3. The method of claim 1, comprisingcommunicating content of a service offered by the service manager,between the service manager and at least one of the first communicationdevice or the second communication device.
 4. The method of claim 1,comprising performing the protocol translation using one or more of thefirst device capability and the second device capability of thecommunication network, the first device capability specifying the firstprotocol and the second device capability specifying the secondprotocol.
 5. The method of claim 1, comprising adjusting or setting asystem timing using one or more of the first device capability, thesecond device capability or the network capability of the communicationnetwork.
 6. The method of claim 5, comprising communicating content withat least one of the first communication device or the secondcommunication device using the system timing.
 7. The method of claim 1,comprising determining a power level for the network device, the firstcommunication device or the second communication device using one ormore of the first device capability, the second device capability or thenetwork capability of the communication network.
 8. The method of claim7, comprising communicating content with the first communication deviceor the second communication device using the determined power level. 9.A system, comprising: a network device in communication with a servicemanager via a communication network, the network device comprisingcircuitry configured to: identify a first device capability of a firstcommunication device, the first device capability specifying a firstprotocol, identify a second device capability of a second communicationdevice, the second device capability specifying a second protocol;perform at least one of protocol translation, content transcoding ordynamic device configuration using at least one of the first devicecapability, the second device capability or a network capability of thecommunication network; communicate, based on the at least one ofprotocol translation, content transcoding or dynamic deviceconfiguration, content between the service manager and at least one ofthe first communication device or the second communication device. 10.The system of claim 9, wherein the circuitry is further configured toperform discovery of the communication network to determine the networkcapability of the communication network.
 11. The system of claim 9,wherein the circuitry is configured to communicate content of a serviceoffered by the service manager, between the service manager and at leastone of the first communication device or the second communicationdevice.
 12. The system of claim 9, wherein the circuitry is configuredto perform the protocol translation using one or more of the firstdevice capability and the second device capability of the communicationnetwork.
 13. The system of claim 9, wherein the circuitry is configuredto adjust or set a system timing using one or more of the first devicecapability, the second device capability or the network capability ofthe communication network.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein thecircuitry is configured to communicate content with at least one of thefirst communication device or the second communication device using thesystem timing.
 15. The system of claim 9, wherein the circuitry isconfigured to determine a power level for the network device, the firstcommunication device or the second communication device using one ormore of the first device capability, the second device capability or thenetwork capability of the communication network.
 16. The system of claim15, wherein the circuitry is configured to communicate content with thefirst communication device or the second communication device using thedetermined power level.
 17. A method comprising: determining, by anetwork device in communication with a service manager via a network, afirst device capability of a first communication device and a seconddevice capability of a second communication device, the first devicecapability specifying a first protocol, the second device capabilityspecifying a second protocol; storing, by the network device, the firstdevice capability and the second device capability; performing, by thenetwork device, at least one of protocol translation, contenttranscoding or dynamic device configuration using at least one of thefirst device capability, the second device capability or a networkcapability of the communication network; and managing, by the networkdevice via the at least one of protocol translation, content transcodingor dynamic device configuration, the communication of content from theservice manager between the network device, and at least one of thefirst communication device or the second communication device.
 18. Themethod of claim 17, comprising configuring an interface of the networkdevice based on the first device capability and the second devicecapability, wherein the interface is configured to handle at least thefirst protocol and the second protocol.
 19. The method of claim 17,comprising configuring a network interface of the network device toenable communication between the network device and the service managervia the communication network based on the first device capability andthe second device capability.
 20. The method of claim 17, wherein thefirst device capability specifies a first transport protocol and thesecond device capability specifies a second transport protocol.